Aerosol generating system

Abstract

An aerosol generating system includes an aerosol generating device having a heating chamber for receiving at least a portion of an article including aerosolizable material. The chamber includes a side wall and a base. The aerosol generating system also includes a spacer insertable into the heating chamber. The base is configured to abut a distal end of an article including aerosolisable material when the spacer is absent from the heating chamber. The spacer is configured to space a distal end of an article including aerosolizable material from the base when the spacer is inserted in the heating chamber.

1 . An aerosol generating system comprising:
 an aerosol generating device including:   a heating chamber for receiving at least a portion of an article comprising aerosolisable material, the chamber comprising a side wall and a base; and   a spacer insertable into the heating chamber;   wherein the base is configured to abut a distal end of an article comprising aerosolisable material when the spacer is absent from the heating chamber, and   wherein the spacer is configured to space a distal end of an article comprising aerosolisable material from the base when the spacer is inserted in the heating chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a locating surface arranged to locate the spacer against the base; and an abutment surface for abutting at least a portion of an article comprising aerosolisable material. 
     
     
         3 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 2 , wherein the locating surface defines a distal extent of the spacer. 
     
     
         4 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 2 , wherein the abutment surface defines a proximal extent of the spacer. 
     
     
         5 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a retainer configured to retain the spacer in the heating chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 5 , wherein the retainer is configured to act on the side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 5 , wherein the spacer comprises a resilient portion defining at least part of the retainer. 
     
     
         8 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the aerosol generating device comprises a heating element, and wherein the spacer is configured to overlap the heating element in an axial direction when received in the heating chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 8 , wherein the heating element defines at least part of the side wall. 
     
     
         10 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 8 , wherein the heating element protrudes in the heating chamber. 
     
     
         11 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 8 , wherein the spacer is arranged to abut the heating element when received in the heating chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer comprises a path through the spacer. 
     
     
         13 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is free from material which can be heated by penetration of a varying magnetic field. 
     
     
         14 . The aerosol generating system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is formed of a material having a coefficient of linear thermal expansion less than 150 ppm k −1  along flow above the glass transition. 
     
     
         15 . A spacer for insertion into a heating chamber of an aerosol generating device, comprising:
 a body having a locating surface arranged to locate against a base of the heating chamber and an abutment surface arranged to abut an end of an article comprising aerosolisable material, wherein the abutment surface defines an axial extent of the spacer; and   a retainer arranged to retain the spacer in the heating chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The spacer of  claim 15 , wherein the locating surface defines a first axial extent of the spacer along an axis, and the abutment surface defines a second axial extent of the spacer along the axis. 
     
     
         17 . The spacer of  claim 16 , wherein the retainer defines a radial extent perpendicular to the axis. 
     
     
         18 . The spacer of  claim 15 , wherein the retainer comprises a resilient tab. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A kit of parts comprising a spacer according to  claim 15  and an article comprising aerosol generating material. 
     
     
         22 . A kit of parts comprising a spacer according to  claim 15  and a retrieval tool for retrieving the spacer from a heating chamber of an aerosol generating device.